Johnson County Reentry Project

The Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199) provides a comprehensive response to the increasing number of people who are released from prison and jail into communities and the subsequent challenges communities face as offenders attempt to reintegrate into society. The Second Chance Act Prisoner Reentry Initiative provides funding to state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for demonstration projects to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Funded demonstration projects will use validated and dynamic assessment tools to determine the risks and needs of offenders.

Projects will provide offenders in prisons or jails with all necessary services to facilitate reentry into the community. In addition, the projects will develop procedures to ensure that dangerous felons are not released from prison prematurely and provide services that address treatment needs and protect communities against dangerous offenders Allowable uses of funds to enhance a successful transition include: pre-release assessment and case planning, mentoring, housing, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, services to enhance family reunification, job training and readiness, and post-release case management and supervision.

Johnson County will use the FY 2010 SCA grant funds to support the Johnson County Reentry Project (JCRP). The goal of the Johnson County Kansas Government is to reduce repeat offenders from returning to jail at a rate of 50% over five years. To meet the goal the Johnson County will use the funds for the implementation of a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team to include a mental health, corrections, vocational/educational, and a substance abuse professional. Programming will be implemented within the jail when an inmate is ordered to serve sentence. At 120 days remaining on sentence, the inmate will start with the FACT team in reentry planning and preparation for work release. At 90 days remaining on sentence, the inmate will move to the work release program to finish sentence. Upon sentence served, the inmate will continue to receive FACT Team services for up to 90 days to ensure successful transition to the community. The FACT team will work with community agencies that have committed to serving inmates as they return to the community.

CA/NCF